Mastering the Lightning Claymore: A Dark Souls Upgrade Guide
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So, you want to electrify your Claymore and unleash the fury of Thor upon the denizens of Lordran? Excellent choice, Ashen One! Upgrading your Claymore to a Lightning Claymore in Dark Souls is a powerful way to deal significant damage, especially at lower levels or on builds that don’t heavily invest in Strength and Dexterity. Here’s the process, broken down for clarity:
- Reach a +10 Normal Claymore: This is the foundation. You’ll need to upgrade your standard Claymore to +10 using Titanite Shards, Large Titanite Shards, and Titanite Chunks. Andre the Blacksmith in the Undead Parish is your initial go-to for this. Remember, after +5 you need the Large Ember from the Depths to ascend it further.
- Journey to Anor Londo: You need to get to Anor Londo, the city of the gods. Getting here requires defeating Ornstein and Smough, and using the Darkmoon Ring. Once you have access to Anor Londo, you’re halfway there.
- Find the Giant Blacksmith: Hidden away in Anor Londo is the Giant Blacksmith. He’s the key to transforming your +10 weapon into a lightning-infused masterpiece. He sits near the boss chamber of Ornstein and Smough.
- Upgrade! Talk to the Giant Blacksmith. Select the “Modify Equipment” option, and if you have a +10 Claymore, the Lightning upgrade will be available. It requires a certain number of Titanite Chunks. Once you have enough, you can apply the upgrade!
- Enjoy the Lightning: Your Claymore is now a Lightning weapon, dealing primarily lightning damage.
That’s it in a nutshell! A Lightning Claymore offers a strong early- to mid-game advantage, and remains viable even later depending on your build. But remember, the Lightning path sacrifices scaling with your Strength and Dexterity stats for a high base lightning damage.
Diving Deeper: What Makes the Lightning Claymore Special?
The Lightning Claymore’s appeal lies in its consistent damage output, independent of your stat investment. This makes it attractive for players who want to focus on other stats like Vitality, Endurance, or Faith, or Intelligence for spellcasting. However, this advantage comes with a tradeoff: the Lightning Claymore does not scale with Strength or Dexterity. So, as your character levels up, the damage output will only increase if you upgrade it.
Optimizing Your Lightning Claymore Build
While the Lightning Claymore itself doesn’t scale, you can still optimize your build around it:
- Prioritize Health and Stamina: Since your weapon damage is fixed, invest heavily in Vitality and Endurance to maximize your survivability and allow for more attacks and dodges.
- Consider Armor and Rings: Focus on armor with good lightning resistance for increased survivability. Rings like the Ring of Favor and Protection or Havel’s Ring can further enhance your build.
- Don’t Neglect Weapon Upgrades: Continue to upgrade your Lightning Claymore to its maximum level using Titanite Chunks. Each upgrade will boost its base damage, maintaining its effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lightning Claymore
Here are some frequently asked questions about Lightning Claymores to help you in your adventure:
How do I get Titanite Chunks?
Titanite Chunks are essential for upgrading weapons along various paths, including Lightning. They can be farmed from certain enemies (like Darkwraiths in New Londo Ruins) and purchased from some vendors, but in limited quantities.
Is a Lightning Claymore better than a +15 Claymore?
This depends entirely on your stats. If you have high Strength and Dexterity (typically 27 Strength and 40 Dexterity), a +15 Claymore will likely outperform a Lightning Claymore due to its scaling. However, if your stats are lower, the Lightning Claymore’s high base damage will usually be superior.
Can I revert my Lightning Claymore back to a normal +10 weapon?
Unfortunately, you cannot revert a Lightning weapon back to a normal weapon. Once you’ve chosen the Lightning path, you’re committed.
What are the weaknesses of a Lightning Claymore?
The primary weakness is its lack of scaling. As you level up, your damage output won’t increase unless you upgrade the weapon further. Also, some enemies are resistant to lightning damage, making the Lightning Claymore less effective against them.
What is the best build for a Lightning Claymore?
A build that focuses on Vitality, Endurance, and possibly some Faith or Intelligence for utility spells is ideal. Since the weapon doesn’t scale, you’re free to invest in other areas.
How much does it cost to upgrade a weapon to Lightning?
The cost varies depending on the weapon and the upgrade level. Expect to spend a significant number of souls and Titanite Chunks.
Can I buff a Lightning Claymore?
No, you cannot buff a Lightning Claymore with spells or resins. Weapons that have elemental damage already applied cannot be buffed.
What is the best weapon to use against lightning resistant enemies?
Against enemies with high lightning resistance, a weapon with physical damage scaling well with your Strength and Dexterity is the most effective counter. A +15 Claymore would work perfectly.
Does the Lightning Claymore benefit from the Lightning Clutch Ring?
Dark Souls doesn’t have a Lightning Clutch Ring, but a Lightning Claymore would not benefit from a ring that boosted lightning damage due to the infusion already present on the weapon. This is due to the way weapon buffs work. This would be beneficial in Elden Ring, but not in Dark Souls.
How do I get the Very Large Ember?
The Very Large Ember, needed to upgrade normal weapons past +10, is found in the New Londo Ruins after draining the water. It’s located in a chest guarded by Darkwraiths.
Is the Lightning Claymore good for PvP?
The Lightning Claymore can be effective in PvP, especially at lower levels. Its consistent damage and relatively low stat requirements make it a viable option.
What other weapons are good for lightning builds?
Other weapons that can be upgraded to Lightning include the Zweihander, the Great Scythe, and various other swords, axes, and spears. Experiment to find one that suits your playstyle.
How do I maximize my lightning damage?
While you can’t buff the Lightning Claymore directly, consider using rings like the Ring of Favor and Protection to increase your overall damage output by increasing your HP, Stamina, and Equip Load.
What does it mean when a weapon scales?
Weapon scaling refers to how much a weapon’s damage increases based on your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Faith stats. Weapons with good scaling will become more powerful as you level up these stats.
Where can I learn more about Dark Souls strategies and game mechanics?
For more information on video games and strategy, you can check out Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. These kind of resources help game lovers learn more about the intricacies of their favorite games.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Power of Lightning
The Lightning Claymore is a solid choice for any Dark Souls player looking for a reliable and consistent weapon. Its high base damage and independence from stat scaling make it accessible and effective. Remember to explore, experiment, and most importantly, don’t you dare go hollow. Good luck, and may your lightning strikes be true!